Method for reducing undesirable effects on turfgrass

ABSTRACT

To provide a method for managing a lawn at a site, such as a golf course, where turfgrass less sensitive to herbicides and turfgrass highly sensitive to herbicides are used in combination, without causing undesirable effects on the highly sensitive turfgrass. A herbicidal compound and a silicone surfactant are applied to a site where turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicidal compound is planted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects on nearby turfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for reducing undesirableeffects on turfgrass highly sensitive to herbicidal compounds.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, various herbicidal compounds are used for the lawns. Forexample, in management of a lawn at a golf course, it has becomeindispensable to use a herbicidal compound. At a golf course, pluraltypes of turfgrasses are planted in many cases, and it is often a casewhere turfgrass less sensitive to a herbicidal compound to be used andturfgrass highly sensitive thereto are used in combination. In such acase, a certain restriction is required in the use of the herbicidalcompound, and the situation has not been necessarily satisfactory fromthe viewpoint of the operation efficiency, costs, etc.

Flazasulfuron is known as a herbicidal compound (Patent Document 1).Warm-season turfgrass such as mascarenegrass or Japanese lawngrass isless sensitive to flazasulfuron and thus is safe thereto. Further,flazasulfuron can control unwanted plants and thus is an excellentcompound. On the other hand, cool-season turfgrass such as bentgrass,bluegrass or ryegrass is relatively highly sensitive to flazasulfuron,and flazasulfuron may sometimes present undesirable effects thereto.

As mentioned above, in a golf course, plural types of turfgrasses areplanted in many cases. For example, warm-season turfgrass which is safeto flazasulfuron may be planted in fairways, etc., and cool-seasonturfgrass which is highly sensitive to flazasulfuron, may be planted inputting greens, etc. Flazasulfuron is usually applied to a site wherewarm-season turfgrass is planted, but immediately after the applicationor even after expiration of a certain period after the application, in asituation where morning dew or the like is observed, flazasulfuron islikely to attach to soles of shoes of players walking on the warm-seasonturfgrass, and if the players walk on the green in such a state,undesirable effects may be brought about against the cool-seasonturfgrass planted in the green. Further, other than via soles of shoesof players, etc., for example, via a chemical treatment tool to applyvarious chemicals, a watering tool to sprinkle water to turfgrass, etc.,or a lawn-mowing tool such as a lawn mower, undesirable effects may bebrought about on the cool-season turfgrass.

Such a problem is not limited to with respect to flazasulfuron and maybe present with respect to any herbicidal compound, to which thesensitivity is different depending upon the types of turfgrasses.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,814

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method formanaging a lawn at a site, such as a golf course, where turfgrass lesssensitive to a herbicidal compound to be used and turfgrass highlysensitive thereto are used in combination, without causing undesirableeffects on the highly sensitive turfgrass.

Solution to Problem

As a result of a study to solve the above problem, it has beenunexpectedly found to solve the above problem by using a siliconesurfactant.

That is, the present invention relates to a method wherein a herbicidalcompound and a silicone surfactant are applied, by such a means asspraying, to a site where turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicidalcompound is planted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects on nearbyturfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound. Such undesirableeffects may, for example, be discoloring, brown discoloration, necrosis,chlorosis, anthocyan, growth inhibition, etc.

The present invention provides the following.

(1) A method for reducing undesirable effects on turfgrass, whichcomprises applying a herbicidal compound and a silicone surfactant to asite where turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicide compound isplanted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects on nearby turfgrasshighly sensitive to the herbicidal compound.

(2) The method according to the above (1), wherein the herbicidalcompound is at least one member selected from the group consisting ofacetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors and mitotic inhibitors.

(3) The method according to the above (2), wherein the herbicidalcompound is an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor.

(4) The method according to the above (3), wherein the acetolactatesynthase (ALS) inhibitor is at least one compound or its salt selectedfrom the group consisting of a sulfonylurea compound, a pyrimidinecompound and a triazolopyrimidine compound.

(5) The method according to the above (4), wherein the sulfonylureacompound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting offlazasulfuron, cinosulfuron, rimsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, chlorimuronethyl, iodosulfuron methyl, foramsulfuron, nicosulfuron, sulfosulfuronand chlorosulfuron, the pyrimidine compound is pyrimisulfan, and thetriazolopyrimidine compound is florasulam.

(6) The method according to the above (4), wherein the sulfonylureacompound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting offlazasulfuron, rimsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron and nicosulfuron, and thetriazolopyrimidine compound is florasulam.

(7) The method according to the above (2), wherein the herbicidalcompound is a mitotic inhibitor.

(8) The method according to the above (7), wherein the mitotic inhibitoris a carbamate compound.

(9) The method according to the above (8), wherein the carbamatecompound is asulam.

(10) The method according to the above (1), wherein the siliconesurfactant is an organically modified silicone surfactant.

(11) The method according to the above (10), wherein the organicallymodified silicone surfactant is a polyether modified siliconesurfactant.

(12) The method according to the above (11), wherein the polyethermodified silicone surfactant is a compound represented by the followingformula (I):

wherein R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R₂ is a hydrogen atom,a hydroxy group, a methyl group or an acetyl group, n is an integer offrom 0 to 4, x is an integer of from 0 to 2, y is an integer of from 1to 15, and z is an integer of from 0 to 10.

(13) The method according to the above (1), wherein the herbicidalcompound is diluted with water containing the silicone surfactant in aproportion of from 0.005 to 0.5 vol % and applied to the site whereturfgrass less sensitive to the herbicide compound is planted.

(14) The method according to any one of the above (1) to (13), whereinthe undesirable effects are caused via contact with turfgrass orunwanted plants at the site to which the herbicidal compound and thesilicone surfactant are applied.

(15) The method according to any one of the above (1) to (13), whereinthe undesirable effects are caused via a shoe sole, a chemical treatmenttool, a watering tool or a lawn-mowing tool contacted with turfgrass orunwanted plants at the site to which the herbicidal compound and thesilicone surfactant are applied.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a methodfor managing a lawn, whereby the operation efficiency, costs, etc. maybe improved.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A surfactant is used in combination with a herbicidal compound usuallyfor the purpose of increasing the effects. When a herbicidal compoundand a surfactant are used at a site where turfgrass less sensitive tothe herbicidal compound to be used and turfgrass highly sensitivethereto are planted in the vicinity to each other, undesirable effectsto the highly sensitive turfgrass may sometimes be brought about, but byusing a silicone surfactant among various surfactants, it is possible toreduce such undesirable effects.

The silicone surfactant serves to lower the surface tension to plants,of the treating liquid containing a herbicidal compound and to impart aproper spreading property. Although the reason is not clearlyunderstood, it is considered that by such effects of the siliconesurfactant, transfer of the herbicidal compound from the plants at thetreated site is prevented, which contributes to development of theeffects of the present invention.

The silicone surfactant of the present invention is preferably anorganically modified silicone surfactant. In the present invention, “anorganically modified silicone surfactant” is meant mainly for a siliconeoil having hydrophilicity imparted by introduction of an organic groupsuch as a polyether substituent. In such an organically modifiedsilicone surfactant, as the organic group to be introduced, various onesare known in addition to the above polyether substituent, and they mayalso be used so long as they are suitable for the purpose of the presentinvention. As the organically modified silicone surfactant, a polyethermodified silicone surfactant is preferred.

An example of the organically modified silicone surfactant having apolyether substituent introduced (i.e. the polyether modified siliconesurfactant) may preferably be polyoxyethylene methyl-polysiloxane,polyoxyalkylene methyl-polysiloxane, ethoxylated trisiloxane, polyetherpolymethyl-siloxane copolymer, polyether polymethyl-siloxane copolymer,or a compound represented by the following formula (I):

wherein R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R₂ is a hydrogen atom,a hydroxy group, a methyl group or an acetyl group, n is an integer offrom 0 to 4, x is an integer of from 0 to 2, y is an integer of from 1to 15, and z is an integer of from 0 to 10. However, the presentinvention is by no means limited thereto.

Here, in a case where the silicone surfactant is a compound representedby the above formula (I), a compound wherein x is 0 is preferred fromthe viewpoint of the spreading property.

As specific examples of the silicone surfactant, the following ones(tradenames) may, for example, be preferred. Further, among commerciallyavailable silicone surfactants, there are ones which further containother components.

-   -   Maku-pika (polyoxyethylene methyl-polysiloxane manufactured by        Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.)    -   KF-640 (polyoxyalkylene methyl-polysiloxane, manufactured by        Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)    -   Silwet L-77, Silwet 408, Silwet ECO (ethoxylated trisiloxane,        manufactured by Momentive performance materials, Witco, etc.)    -   Break-Thru (polyether polymethyl-siloxane copolymer,        manufactured by Evonik Goldschmidt Chemical Corporation)    -   Breakthru (polyether polymethyl-siloxane copolymer, manufactured        by Sankei Chemical Co., Ltd.)

The herbicidal compound may be a compound, to which the sensitivity isdifferent depending upon the types of turfgrasses. In a case whereturfgrass less sensitive to such a compound and turfgrass highlysensitive thereto are planted in the vicinity of each other, even ifsuch a compound is applied to a site where the less sensitive turfgrassis planted, undesirable effects may sometimes be brought about againstthe highly sensitive turfgrass via direct or indirect contact withmainly plants (such as turfgrass, unwanted plants, etc.) at the treatedsite.

For example, in a golf course, turfgrass less sensitive to a herbicidalcompound and turfgrass highly sensitive thereto may be planted in thevicinity of each other, e.g. in fairways and greens, etc. Even if theherbicidal compound is applied to a site where the less sensitiveturfgrass is planted, such a herbicidal compound may be brought incontact with the highly sensitive turfgrass via direct or indirectcontact. In such a case, undesirable effects may be brought aboutagainst the highly sensitive turfgrass, even though the herbicidalcompound is not applied directly to the highly sensitive turfgrass.

In the present invention “direct or indirect contact” means that whenthe herbicidal compound is applied to a site where the less sensitiveturfgrass is planted, it is brought in contact via e.g. soles of shoesof golf players or workers, which were in contact with e.g. turfgrass orunwanted plants, etc. at the treated site; a chemical treatment tool toapply various agricultural chemicals (e.g. hoses or wheels of a chemicaltreatment tool); a watering tool for sprinkling water to turfgrass, etc.(e.g. hoses or wheels of a watering tool); a lawn-mowing tool (e.g. alawn mower or its wheels); etc.

In the present invention, “planted in the vicinity of each other” meansthat the turfgrasses are planted in such a state that the abovementioned direct or indirect contact may occur. For example, a case maybe mentioned where the less sensitive turfgrass and the highly sensitiveturfgrass are planted adjacent to each other or with a distance fromeach other. Further, in a golf course, a plurality of holes are providedin the same premises, and not only within the same hole, but also amongdifferent holes, the direct or indirect contact may occur. In thepresent invention, such a situation is also included in the expression“planted in the vicinity of each other”.

The present invention is to solve such a problem associated with theherbicidal compound having such a nature and background, and thechemical structure, amount, etc. of the applicable herbicidal compoundare not particularly limited.

As an example of the herbicidal compound applicable to the presentinvention, preferred is, for example, an acetolactate synthase (ALS)inhibitor or a mitotic inhibitor. The acetolactate synthase (ALS)inhibitor may, for example, be preferably a sulfonylurea compound suchas flazasulfuron, cinosulfuron, rimsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron,chlorimuron ethyl, iodosulfuron methyl, foramsulfuron, nicosulfuron,sulfosulfuron or chlorosulfuron; a pyrimidine compound such aspyrimisulfan; a triazolopyrimidine compound such as florasulam; or theirsalts. The mitotic inhibitor may, for example, be preferably a carbamatecompound such as asulam, or its salts. Among them, flazasulfuron,rimsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, nicosulfuron, florasulam, asulam or theirsalts are, for example, preferred. The salt is preferably an alkalineearth metal salt or an alkali metal salt, and a sodium salt isparticularly preferred.

Further, the turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicidal composition orthe turfgrass highly sensitive thereto, is known in this field.

For example, as the turfgrass less sensitive to flazasulfuron,rimsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron or nicosulfuron, warm-season turfgrasssuch as mascarenegrass or Japanese lawngrass may, for example, bementioned, and as the turfgrass highly sensitive to such a compound,cool-season turfgrass such as bentgrass, bluegrass or ryegrass may, forexample, be mentioned.

The amount of the silicone surfactant to be used cannot be generally bedefined, since it is required to be suitably adjusted depending upon theweather conditions, the types and sizes of weeds to be controlled, thestate of turfgrasses to be treated, etc. However, with a view toimparting a proper surface tension and spreading property at the timewhen a formulated herbicidal compound is diluted with water and applied,thereby to effectively obtain the effects of the present invention, itis preferred to mix the surfactant to such water in a proportion of from0.005 to 0.5 vol %, more preferably in a proportion of from 0.01 to 0.25vol %.

With a view to effectively obtaining the effects of the presentinvention, the amount of the treating liquid containing the herbicidalcompound and the silicone surfactant is preferably from 100 to 5,000 L(liters), more preferably from 150 to 4,000 L, per one hectare. However,the amount of the silicone surfactant and the amount of the treatingliquid may suitably be selected to be outside such ranges, dependingupon various conditions such as the above mentioned weather conditions,etc.

In the case of an ALS inhibitor, the amount of the herbicidal compoundis preferably from 1 to 200 g, more preferably from 10 to 150 g, per onehectare of turfgrass. In the case of a mitotic inhibitor, the amount ispreferably from 500 to 6,000 g, more preferably from 1,000 to 5,000 g,per one hectare of turfgrass.

Further, the concentration of the herbicidal compound in the treatingliquid containing the herbicidal compound and the silicone surfactant,to be sprayed or applied to the turfgrass, is preferably from 0.00002 to0.2 mass %, more preferably from 0.00025 to 0.1 mass %, in the case ofan ALS inhibitor. In the case of a mitotic inhibitor, such aconcentration is preferably from 0.01 to 6 mass %, more preferably from0.025 to 3.5 mass %.

Although the reason as to why the effects of the present invention areobtainable, is not clearly understood, so long as the application toturfgrass is concerned, it is considered that the silicone surfactantwill impart a proper surface tension and spreading property to thetreating liquid thereby to facilitate falling off of an excess treatingliquid from turfgrass, which effectively contributes to the effects ofthe present invention.

Now, some embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified.However, it should be understood that the present invention is by nomeans restricted thereto.

Embodiments of treatment with the herbicidal compound and the siliconesurfactant will be exemplified below.

(1) A method wherein a herbicidal compound is diluted with watercontaining a silicone surfactant in a proportion of from 0.005 to 0.5vol %, and applied to a site where turfgrass less sensitive to theherbicidal compound is planted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects onnearby turfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound.

(2) A method wherein a herbicidal compound and a silicone surfactant areapplied to a site where turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicidalcompound is planted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects on nearbyturfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound, which will becaused via contact with the turfgrass or unwanted plants at the treatedsite.

(3) A method wherein a herbicidal compound and a silicone surfactant areapplied to a site where turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicidalcompound is planted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects on nearbyturfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound, which will becaused via indirect contact with the turfgrass or unwanted plants at thetreated site.

(4) A method wherein a herbicidal compound and a silicone surfactant areapplied to a site where turfgrass less susceptible to the herbicidalcompound is planted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects to nearbyturfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound, which will becaused via soles of shoes, a chemical treatment tool, a watering tool ora lawn-mowing tool, which was in contact with turfgrass or unwantedplants at the treated site.

(5) A method wherein a herbicidal compound and a silicone surfactant areapplied to a site where turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicidalcompound is planted, thereby to reduce undesired effects on nearbyturfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound, which will becaused via soles of shoes; hoses or wheels of a chemical treatment tool;hoses or wheels of a watering tool; or a lawn-mowing tool or its wheels,which were in contact with the turfgrass or unwanted plants at thetreated site.

The present invention is useful to reduce undesirable effects on nearbyturfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound, which will becaused after application of the herbicidal compound.

Further, a case where undesirable effects are caused by bringing in theabove herbicidal compound from the site where the herbicidal compoundwas applied, to nearby turfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidalcompound, is also included in the present invention.

In the present invention, “bringing in” means transferring theherbicidal compound from a site to another site i.e. from a site towhich the herbicidal compound was applied to nearby turfgrass highlysensitive to the herbicidal compound, via direct or indirect contact.

The present invention is particularly useful in a golf course whereturfgrass less sensitive to a herbicidal compound and turfgrass highlysensitive thereto are planted. An embodiment of such a case isexemplified below.

(6) A method wherein in a golf course where less sensitive turfgrass andhighly sensitive turfgrass are planted, a herbicidal compound and asilicone surfactant are applied to a site where turfgrass less sensitiveto the herbicidal compound is planted, thereby to reduce undesirableeffects on turfgrass highly sensitive to the herbicidal compound.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described in further detail with referenceto Examples, but it should be understood that the present invention isby no means limited thereto.

Example 1

Soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and mascarenegrass was cultivated.Further, soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and bentgrass (breed:penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount (flazasulfuron: 50 ga.i./ha) of water dispersible granules (tradename: SHIBAGEN DF,manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) containing flazasulfuronas an active ingredient, was diluted with water containing apredetermined amount of a silicone surfactant (tradename: Maku-pika,manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) and applied by foliartreatment to the mascarenegrass by a small spraygun so that the amountof the treating liquid corresponds to 2,000 L/ha. Immediately after thetreatment or upon expiration of 6 hours after the treatment, thebentgrass not treated with flazasulfuron was rubbed against themascarenegrass treated with flazasulfuron (the pot of bentgrass waspermitted to slide and reciprocate once).

On 14th day after the treatment with flazasulfuron, the state of growthof the bentgrass was visually observed and investigated, and the growthinhibition rate and the degree of necrosis evaluated in accordance withthe following standards are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Further, ascomparative areas, an area wherein polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether(tradename: Kusa-rino, manufactured by Nihon nohyaku Co., Ltd.) was usedas a surfactant commonly employed in this field, and an area wherein nosurfactant was used, were provided.

Growth inhibition rate (%)=0 (equivalent to non-treated area) to 100(complete kill)

Degree of necrosis=0 (equivalent to non-treated area) to 5.0 (maximum)

TABLE 1 (Rubbed immediately after treatment with flazasulfuron)Bentgrass Surfactant Growth Concentration inhibition Tradename (vol %)rate (%) Necrosis Present invention Maku-pika 0.02 53 1.3 area 0.033 350.5 Comparative area Kusa-rino 0.02 67 2.0 Not added — 48 0.8

TABLE 2 (Rubbed upon expiration of 6 hours after treatment withflazasulfuron) Bentgrass Surfactant Growth Concentration inhibitionTradename (vol %) rate (%) Necrosis Present invention Maku-pika 0.02 0 0area Comparative area Kusa-rino 0.02 30 0

Example 2

Japanese lawngrass was cultivated on ground in 0.6 m² (0.4 m×1.5 m).Further, soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and bentgrass (breed:penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount (flazasulfuron: 50 ga.i./ha) of SHIBAGEN DF (tradename, the same as in Example 1) wasdiluted with water containing a predetermined amount of Maku-pika(tradename, the same as in Example 1) and applied by foliar treatment tothe Japanese lawngrass by a small spraygun so that the amount of thetreating liquid corresponds to 2,000 L/ha. Immediately after thetreatment or upon expiration of 3 hours after the treatment, a testerwalked (5 steps) on the Japanese lawngrass treated with flazasulfuronand then stepped on the bentgrass.

On 21st day after treatment with flazasulfuron, the state of growth ofthe bentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, and thegrowth inhibition rate is shown in Tables 3 and 4. Further, ascomparative areas, an area wherein Kusa-rino (tradename, the same as inExample 1) was used, and an area wherein no surfactant was used, wereprovided.

TABLE 3 (Stepped on immediately after treatment with flazasulfuron)Surfactant Bentgrass Concentration Growth inhibition Tradename (vol %)rate (%) Present invention Maku-pika 0.02 25 area Comparative areaKusa-rino 0.02 35 Not added — 30

TABLE 4 (Stepped on upon expiration of 3 hours after treatment withflazasulfuron) Surfactant Bentgrass Concentration Growth inhibitionTradename (vol %) rate (%) Present invention Maku-pika 0.02 15 areaComparative area Kusa-rino 0.02 23

Example 3

On ground, Japanese lawngrass in 50 m² (2 m×25 m) and bentgrass (breed:penncross) in 0.12 m² (0.35 m×0.35 m) were respectively cultivated. Apredetermined amount (flazasulfuron: 50 g a.i./ha) of SHIBAGEN DF(tradename, the same as in Example 1) was diluted with water containinga predetermined amount of Maku-pika (tradename, the same as inExample 1) and applied by foliar treatment to the Japanese Iawngrass bya knapsack power sprayer so that the amount of the treating liquidcorresponds to 2,000 L/ha. Immediately after the treatment or next dayafter the treatment, a tester walked (50 m) on the Japanese Iawngrasstreated with flazasulfuron, then walked (10 m) on Japanese Iawngrass nottreated with a treating agent and then stepped on the bentgrass.

On 22nd day after the treatment with flazasulfuron, the state of growthof the bentgrass was visually observed and investigated, and the growthinhibition rate and the degree of discoloring evaluated in accordancewith the following standards are shown in Tables 5 and 6. Further, as acomparative area, an area wherein Kusa-rino (tradename, the same as inExample 1) was used, was provided.

Growth inhibition rate (%)=0 (equivalent to non-treated area) to 100(complete kill)

Degree of discoloring=0 (equivalent to non-treated area) to 5.0(maximum)

TABLE 5 (Stepped on immediately after treatment with flazasulfuron)Bentgrass Surfactant Growth Concentration inhibition Tradename (vol %)rate (%) Discoloring Present Maku-pika 0.03 25 1.5 invention areaComparative Kusa-rino 0.02 28 2.3 area

TABLE 6 (Stepped on next day after treatment with flazasulfuron)Bentgrass Surfactant Growth Concentration inhibition Tradename (vol %)rate (%) Discoloring Present Maku-pika 0.03 28 1.8 invention areaComparative Kusa-rino 0.02 35 2.5 area

Example 4

On ground, mascarenegrass in 50 m² (2 m×25 m) and bentgrass (breed:Minakuru) in 0.12 m² (0.35 m×0.35 m) were respectively cultivated. Apredetermined amount (flazasulfuron: 100 g a.i./ha) of a wettable powdercontaining flazasulfuron as an active ingredient (tradename: SHIBAGENWP, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) was diluted with watercontaining a predetermined amount of a silicone surfactant (tradename:Silwet L-77, manufactured by Witco) and applied by foliar treatment tothe mascarenegrass by a knapsack power sprayer so that the amount of thetreating liquid corresponds to 2,000 L/ha. After the treating liquiddried, a tester walked (100 m) on the mascarenegrass treated withflazasulfuron, then walked (10 m) on mascarenegrass not treated withflazasulfuron and then stepped on five times on the bentgrass.

On 11th day after the treatment with flazasulfuron, the state of growthof the bentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 3, andthe growth inhibition rate and the degree of discoloring are shown inTable 7. Further, as comparative areas, an area wherein Kusa-rino(tradename, the same as in Example 1) was used, and an area wherein nosurfactant was used, were provided.

TABLE 7 Bentgrass Surfactant Growth Concentration inhibition Tradename(vol %) rate (%) Discoloring Present Silwet L-77 0.1% 20 0.5 inventionarea Comparative Kusa-rino 0.05% 35 1.0 area Not added — 28 1.0

Example 5

Soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and mascarenegrass was cultivated.Further, soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and bentgrass (breed:penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount (trifloxysulfuronsodium salt: 45 g a.i./ha) of water dispersible granules containingtrifloxysulfuron sodium salt as an active ingredient (tradename:Monument water dispersible granules, manufactured by Syngenta JapanK.K.) was diluted with water containing a predetermined amount ofMaku-pika (tradename, the same as in Example 1) and applied by foliartreatment to the mascarenegrass by a small spraygun, so that the amountof the treating liquid corresponds to 2,000 L/ha. Upon expiration of 6hours after the treatment, the bentgrass not treated withtrifloxysulfuron sodium salt, was rubbed against the mascarenegrasstreated therewith (the pot of bentgrass was permitted to slide andreciprocate once).

On 12th day after the treatment with trifloxysulfuron sodium salt, thestate of growth of the bentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as inExample 3, and the growth inhibition rate and the degree of discoloringare shown in Table 8. Further, as comparative areas, an area whereinKusa-rino (tradename, the same as in Example 1) was used, and an areawherein no surfactant was used, were provided.

TABLE 8 (Rubbed upon expiration of 6 hours after treatment withtrifloxysulfuron sodium salt) Bentgrass Spreading agent GrowthConcentration inhibition Bentgrass Tradename (wt %) rate DiscoloringPresent Maku-pika 0.1 39 0.5 invention area Comparative Kusa-rino 0.0250 1.0 area Not added — 60 1.5

Example 6

Soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and mascarenegrass werecultivated. Further, soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, andbentgrass (breed: penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount(asulam: 4625 g a.i./ha) of a treating liquid containing asulam as anactive component (tradename: Arsilan liquid preparation, manufactured byIshihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) was diluted with water containing apredetermined amount of Maku-pika (tradename, the same as in Example 1),and applied by foliar treatment to the mascarenegrass by a smallspraygun so that the amount of the treating liquid corresponds to 2,000L/ha. Upon expiration of 6 hours after the treatment, the bentgrass nottreated with asulam was rubbed against the mascarenegrass treatedtherewith (the pot of bentgrass was permitted to slide and reciprocateonce).

On 12th day after the treatment with asulam, the state of growth of thebentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 3, and thegrowth inhibition rate and the degree of discoloring are shown in Table9. Further, as comparative areas, an area wherein Kusa-rino (tradename,the same as in Example 1) was used, and an area wherein no surfactantwas used, were provided.

TABLE 9 (Rubbed upon expiration of 6 hours after treatment with asulam)Bentgrass Spreading agent Growth Concentration inhibition BentgrassTradename (wt %) rate Discoloring Present Maku-pika 0.03 23 1.3invention area 0.1 3 0 Comparative Kusa-rino 0.02 38 2.3 area Not added— 45 2.5

Example 7

Soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and mascarenegrass was cultivated.Further, soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and bentgrass (breed:penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount (rimsulfuron: 35.25 ga.i./ha) of water dispersible granules containing rimsulfuron as anactive ingredient (tradename: Hurley DF, manufactured by MARUWABiochemical Co., Ltd.) was diluted with water containing a predeterminedamount of Maku-pika (tradename, the same as in Example 1) and applied byfoliar treatment to the mascarenegrass by a small spraygun, so that theamount of the treating liquid corresponds to 2,000 L/ha. Upon expirationof 6 hours after the treatment, the bentgrass not treated withrimsulfuron was rubbed against the mascarenegrass treated therewith (thepot of bentgrass was permitted to slide and reciprocate once).

On 13th day after the treatment with rimsulfuron, the state of growth ofthe bentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 3, and thegrowth inhibition rate and the degree of discoloring are shown in Table10. Further, as comparative areas, an area wherein Kusa-rino (tradename,the same as in Example 1) or Surfactant WK (tradename, manufactured byMARUWA Biochemical Co., Ltd.) was used, and an area wherein nosurfactant was used, were provided.

TABLE 10 (Rubbed upon expiration of 6 hours after treatment withrimsulfuron) Bentgrass Spreading agent Growth Concentration inhibitionBentgrass Tradename (wt %) rate Discoloring Present Maku-pika 0.03 230.5 invention area Comparative Surfactant 0.03 33 0.8 area WK Kusa-rino0.03 48 1.5 Not added — 35 1.0

Example 8

Soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and mascarenegrass was cultivated.Further, soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and bentgrass (breed:penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount (nicosulfuron: 40 ga.i./ha) of an emulsifiable concentrate containing nicosulfuron as anactive ingredient (tradename: Onehope emulsifiable concentrate,manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) was diluted with watercontaining a predetermined amount of Maku-pika (tradename, the same asin Example 1) and applied by foliar treatment to the mascarenegrass by asmall spraygun, so that the amount of the treating liquid corresponds to2,000 L/ha. Immediately after the treatment, the bentgrass not treatedwith nicosulfuron, was rubbed against the mascarenegrass treatedtherewith (the pot of bentgrass was permitted to slide and reciprocateonce).

On 28th day after the treatment with nicosulfuron, the state of growthof the bentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 3, andthe growth inhibition rate and the degree of discoloring are shown inTable 11. Further, as a comparative area, an area wherein Surfactant WK(tradename, the same as in Example 7) was used, was provided.

TABLE 11 (Rubbed immediately after treatment with nicosulfuron)Bentgrass Spreading agent Growth Concentration inhibition BentgrassTradename (wt %) rate Discoloring Present Maku-pika 0.05 60 1.9invention area Comparative Surfactant 0.05 65 2.3 area WK

Example 9

Soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and mascarenegrass was cultivated.Further, soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and bentgrass (breed:penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount (florasulam: 36 ga.i./ha) of a liquid preparation containing florasulam as an activeingredient (tradename: Plimus, manufactured by Dow AgroSciences) wasdiluted with water containing a predetermined amount of Maku-pika(tradename, the same as in Example 1) and applied by foliar treatment tothe mascarenegrass by a small spraygun, so that the amount of thetreating liquid corresponds to 2,000 L/ha. Immediately after thetreatment, the bentgrass not treated with florasulam was rubbed againstthe mascarenegrass treated therewith (the pot of bentgrass was permittedto slide and reciprocate once).

On 7th day after the treatment with florasulam, the state of growth ofthe bentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 3, and thegrowth inhibition rate and the degree of discoloring are shown in Table12. Further, as a comparative area, an area wherein Surfactant WK(tradename, the same as in Example 7) was used, was provided.

TABLE 12 (Rubbed immediately after treatment with florasulam) BentgrassSpreading agent Growth Concentration inhibition Bentgrass Tradename (wt%) rate Discoloring Present Maku-pika 0.05 23 1.5 invention areaComparative Surfactant 0.05 25 1.7 area WK

Example 10

Soil was put into a 1/300,000 ha pot, and mascarenegrass was cultivated.Further, soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and bentgrass (breed:penncross) was cultivated. A predetermined amount (flazasulfuron: 50 ga.i./ha) of SHIBAGEN DF (tradename, the same as in Example 1) wasdiluted with water containing a predetermined amount of a siliconesurfactant (tradename: Breakthru, manufactured by Sankei Chemical Co.,Ltd.) and applied by foliar treatment to the mascarenegrass by a smallspraygun, so that the amount of the treating liquid corresponds to 2,000L/ha. Upon expiration of 6 hours after the treatment, the bentgrass nottreated with flazasulfuron, was rubbed against the mascarenegrasstreated therewith (the pot of bentgrass was permitted to slide andreciprocate once).

On 21st day after the treatment with flazasulfuron, the state of growthof the bentgrass was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 3, andthe growth inhibition rate and the degree of discoloring are shown inTable 13. Further, as comparative areas, an area wherein Kusa-rino(tradename, the same as in Example 1) was used, and an area wherein nosurfactant was used, were provided.

TABLE 13 (Rubbed upon expiration of 6 hours after treatment withflazasulfuron) Bentgrass Spreading agent Growth Concentration inhibitionBentgrass Tradename (wt %) rate Discoloring Present Breakthru 0.03 34 0invention area Comparative Kusa-rino 0.02 57 0.3 area Not added — 57 0.5

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, at a site where turfgrass lesssensitive to a herbicide to be used and turfgrass highly sensitivethereto are planted in the vicinity of each other, it is possible tomanage the lawn without bringing about undesirable effects on the highlysensitive turfgrass.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-046200filed on Mar. 3, 2010 including specification, claims and abstract isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. A method for reducing undesirable effects on turfgrass, whichcomprises applying a herbicidal compound and a silicone surfactant to asite where turfgrass less sensitive to the herbicide compound isplanted, thereby to reduce undesirable effects on nearby turfgrasshighly sensitive to the herbicidal compound.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the herbicidal compound is at least one member selectedfrom the group consisting of acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors andmitotic inhibitors.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein theherbicidal compound is an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein the acetolactate synthase (ALS)inhibitor is at least one compound or its salt selected from the groupconsisting of a sulfonylurea compound, a pyrimidine compound and atriazolopyrimidine compound.
 5. The method according to claim 4, whereinthe sulfonylurea compound is at least one compound selected from thegroup consisting of flazasulfuron, cinosulfuron, rimsulfuron,trifloxysulfuron, chlorimuron ethyl, iodosulfuron methyl, foramsulfuron,nicosulfuron, sulfosulfuron and chlorosulfuron, the pyrimidine compoundis pyrimisulfan, and the triazolopyrimidine compound is florasulam. 6.The method according to claim 4, wherein the sulfonylurea compound is atleast one compound selected from the group consisting of flazasulfuron,rimsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron and nicosulfuron, and thetriazolopyrimidine compound is florasulam.
 7. The method according toclaim 2, wherein the herbicidal compound is a mitotic inhibitor.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7, wherein the mitotic inhibitor is acarbamate compound.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein thecarbamate compound is asulam.
 10. The method according to claim 1,wherein the silicone surfactant is an organically modified siliconesurfactant.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein theorganically modified silicone surfactant is a polyether modifiedsilicone surfactant.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein thepolyether modified silicone surfactant is a compound represented by thefollowing formula (I):

wherein R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R₂ is a hydrogen atom,a hydroxy group, a methyl group or an acetyl group, n is an integer offrom 0 to 4, x is an integer of from 0 to 2, y is an integer of from 1to 15, and z is an integer of from 0 to
 10. 13. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the herbicidal compound is diluted with watercontaining the silicone surfactant in a proportion of from 0.005 to 0.5vol % and applied to the site where turfgrass less sensitive to theherbicide compound is planted.
 14. The method according to any one ofclaims 1 to 13, wherein the undesirable effects are caused via contactwith turfgrass or unwanted plants at the site to which the herbicidalcompound and the silicone surfactant are applied.
 15. The methodaccording to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the undesirable effectsare caused via a shoe sole, a chemical treatment tool, a watering toolor a lawn-mowing tool contacted with turfgrass or unwanted plants at thesite to which the herbicidal compound and the silicone surfactant areapplied.